August

NFPA: the leading cause of home dryer and washer fires is failure to clean them. Clean the lint filter before or after every load and never run the dryer without it. Once a year, or more often if clothes are taking longer to dry, clean the lint out of the vent pipe, and use rigid or flexible metal venting, not plastic or foil. USFA adds: make sure the outdoor vent flap actually opens while the dryer runs. Go outside, run the dryer, and watch the flap.

The second of IBHS's twice-a-year hose inspections (the first was in February). Look for bulges, cracks and corrosion at the fittings; replace at 5 years regardless, and consider braided stainless steel.

The second cleaning on the six-to-twelve-month schedule from DOE's appliance guide. Unplug, pull out, vacuum.

ENERGY STAR: check the heating system in the fall, before contractors get busy. A heating tune-up checks all gas or oil connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger, along with the thermostat, electrical connections, lubrication, condensate drain and controls. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger makes the equipment operate less safely and less efficiently. Call in August and you get to pick the date.

NOAA: Atlantic hurricane activity peaks from August through October, with the maximum in early to mid September. Check the shutters, the panels and the supplies you stocked in May and June; top up the 3 days of water, food and medicine.